Source: Enterprising Joshi Gakuin
Indigenous women and girls in Broome will have access to free entrepreneurship workshops hosted by the Academy for Enterprising Girls in partnership with Make It Happen HQ.
The two programs offered by both organizations are expected to reach approximately 250 school-age girls in remote towns in Western Australia. This initiative aims to create better and more accessible entrepreneurial paths for young people.
Fleur Anderson, spokesperson for Academy for Enterprise Girls, said the organization was excited to partner with Make It Happen HQ, a women-led Indigenous organization.
“We know that the gender bias experienced by women in entrepreneurship and STEM fields is ingrained in girls as young as high school, but it also applies to Indigenous girls and girls living in regional and remote Australia. The hurdles in their career path are even higher,” Anderson said.
“By partnering with Make it Happen HQ, the Academy for Enterprising Girls’ free entrepreneurship program will expand further across Australia to help people discover what it’s like to face hurdles and turn them into opportunities and growth. It will be served by local people.
“We must actively create more opportunities for girls and create a new wave of female entrepreneurs to drive Australia’s economic and social growth.”
Make It Happen HQ was founded in 2015 by Indigenous entrepreneur and Yauru/Bunuba woman Adele Peek. An all-female-led Indigenous innovation hub and think tank supporting young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the entrepreneurial sector.
Adele Peake said entrepreneurship was at the core of Australia’s Indigenous history and Indigenous peoples, particularly women, should be supported to capitalize on that history.
“It’s important to remember that Indigenous Australians are the descendants of the first entrepreneurs,” Mr Peake says.
“Rather than starting from scratch, we are leveraging the wisdom, hearts and knowledge gained along the way. For this reason, MIHHQ supports indigenous entrepreneurs, especially young women and girls We are dedicated to ensuring you have the knowledge, tools, and support you need to continue your family legacy.
“Indigenous girls living in remote areas need access to community leaders who can instill a belief in their innate skills to develop the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship as a career path. We are proud to be part of this effort.”
The Academy for Enterprising Girls and Make It Happen HQ will work with schools across Broome to help develop design thinking, entrepreneurship and business skills for Indigenous girls in schools. This program allows participants to confidently move towards their entrepreneurial futures.
Broome High School Principal Matthew Burt said he was looking forward to getting the program up and running for his students.
“It is inspiring to see initiatives like this aimed at empowering Indigenous youth, especially young women, in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation,” Ms Burt said.
“We are excited about the opportunity for our school to be involved in such a meaningful project.Supporting the development of entrepreneurial skills in Indigenous female students is a great way to support diversity, inclusion and the diversity of our students. This aligns with our values of enabling people to explore diverse career paths.”
This article was first published by women’s agenda.
